Several components can be used as home remedies for eye redness, all of these components are simple, cheap, and available in every house. For example, honey, milk, aloe vera gel, and many other natural components can be used as home remedies for eye redness.
Eye redness occurs when something or a foreign body irritates the conjunctiva (a thin membrane that lines part of the eye). That’s why it is also called conjunctivitis.
Symptoms of this condition include pink eyes, watery or thick discharge from the eyes, itchy eyes, burning, and more tears than usual.
In most cases, the condition is resolved by itself after using home remedies for eye redness. However, advanced cases may require an antibiotic treatment to speed up the recovery.
Causes of eye redness
Causes of eye redness are countless, it can be triggered by various factors. The most common cause of the condition is inflamed vessels on the surface of your eyes.
This irritation can be caused by irritants like sun exposure, dry air, dust, allergies, microbes like bacteria and viruses, coughing, and cold or flu. We are concerned in this article to spot the most common causes of eye redness and how to deal with them by using home remedies for eye redness.
Allergies
Common allergens such as pollen can cause eye redness. Allergens stimulate more histamine production in our bodies. This can lead to inflammation and infections such as conjunctivitis.
People who are in direct contact with pets are at higher risk. Therefore, it is better to avoid rubbing your eyes after touching your pet and to keep washing your hands.
Dry eyes
A consistent layer of tears is naturally present on the surface of the eye, it is very essential for eye lubrication. The lack of moisture in the eyes may cause dry eye syndrome.
Prolonged eye dryness can cause inflammation and even scars in the eyes. Burning sensation, itchy eyes, fatigued eyes, sore eyes, sensitivity to light, and eye redness are some of the most common symptoms of dry eyes.
Eyelid inflammation
Blepharitis is an inflammatory eye disease that causes redness in the eyes. Some of the common causes of this condition include bacterial infection, makeup getting into the eye, or any foreign object that may be entrapped within eyelashes.
Home remedies for eye redness
Here are some natural ways that are used as home remedies for eye redness.
Cold compress
Placing a cool compress on the eyes can help eliminate inflammation and redness.
Soak a clean cotton ball in cold water, squeeze it, and apply, you can also use refrigerated cucumber slices to get rid of eye redness.
Tea bags
Tea such as chamomile and green tea are considered one of the most common home remedies for eye redness, they have anti-inflammatory properties that help soothe any inflammation or swelling in the eyes.
Take 2 tea bags and refrigerate them for an hour, then place them on your eyes for 20 minutes. Do this twice every day.
Honey + milk
Mix a tablespoon of warm milk and honey. Dip a cotton swab in the mixture and apply it to your eyes for about 30 minutes, then wash your face.
This mixture works because both ingredients have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties that enhance the healing process.
Castor oil
Castor oil is one of the oldest home remedies for eye redness, it contains a very effective anti-inflammatory compound known as ricinoleic acid.
Put a few drops of this oil into your eyes, this can lubricate the eyes and reduce inflammation. Although this usually works, you have to consult your ophthalmologist to avoid further complications.
Aloe vera
Mix some aloe vera gel with an equal amount of water.
Soak a cotton pad in this mix and refrigerate it for about an hour, Place the soaked cotton on the eyes for 20-30 minutes to get rid of the redness.
Repeat this at least once daily. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera gels are very effective as home remedies for eye redness.
Blink breaks
Spending too much time in front of electronic devices is considered the most common cause of eye dryness. Most of us spend hours in front of the screen including laptops, computers, and cell phones.
Following the "20-20 blink rule" may keep the moisture balance in your eyes. The rule is to look away from the screen for 20 seconds after every 20 minutes and blink twice. This will allow the tears to stay in contact with the eyes, prevent eye dryness, and reduce eye redness, and, as a consequence, it is considered one of the home remedies for eye redness.
Rose water
Rose water is a rose plant product and contains 10%–50% rose oil, which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Rose water eye drops are present in the market, it serves as a natural way of controlling and reducing eye inflammation.
Rose water drops are put onto the eye using a dropper, and keep your eyes closed for a few minutes after using the drops, you can also dip a cotton ball in rose water and put it over your closed eyes for approximately 20 minutes.
Artificial Tears
Artificial tears are clinically known as demulcent drops, which are over-the-counter eye drops formulated to restore moisture to dry, inflamed eyes. Artificial tears are a very common one of home remedies for eye redness and should be applied continuously. However, most people tend to neglect their use.
Put every hour for the first six hours. Then, use it six times per day for the rest of the week. Some people store a bottle of eye drops in the refrigerator, as the chilled fluid has a soothing effect on the eyes.
Causes of dry eyes include:
Environmental conditions which are many, such as wind, smoke, dry climate, age (geriatric populations are more prone to eye dryness), screen use, medications (antihistamines, decongestants, blood pressure medications, antidepressants), and medical conditions (diabetes, thyroid disease, Sjogren's syndrome).
How to Prevent Eye Redness?
Apart from home remedies for eye redness, there are some home advice to prevent eye redness:
- Don’t rub your eyes.
- Don't touch your eyes without washing your hands.
- Wear clean contact lenses.
- Don’t wear contacts longer than recommended.
- Don’t watch TV or phone for long hours without a break.
- Clean your hands after coming in contact with someone who has an eye infection.
- Remove your makeup before going to sleep.
- Avoid contact with anything that may irritate your eyes.
- Wash your eyes with cold water if you feel any eye irritation.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Stop smoking.
- Wear sunglasses when you're outside.
- Clean your lids and lashes.
- Don't sit under the AC.
Eye redness is a multifactorial condition that occurs due to one or multiple causes. Although there are several home remedies for eye redness, treatment of the main cause will still be the only way to resolve this condition.
Our eyes are a blessing, and to be able to see is simply a gift. So, it is our responsibility to take care of them.
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